Spread across seven dynamic schools and colleges, UHart is a four-year private university that has been guiding the purpose and passion of students for over six decades. Centrally located alongside Connecticut’s capital city and midway between Boston and New York City, our 350-acre campus offers big opportunities, from major industry partnerships to vibrant cultural destinations.

We’re a diverse campus and a community of varied interests, talents, and worldviews. With more than 100 student clubs and organizations, 17 Division I sports teams, and a support system to help you succeed, you can dabble, experiment, and broaden your passions at UHart.

Borrowing from the Libraries

About the Libraries:

Where are the Libraries located?

The Mortensen and Allen Libraries are both located in the Harrison Libraries in the Harry Jack Gray Center. The general library, Mortensen, spans all three levels. Phone: 860.768.4264. Allen Library, the music/dance library, is on the lower level. Phone: 860.768.4491. See our directions page for more information.

Masters and doctoral students are required to bind their theses or dissertations as part of their degree requirements. Binding should be done through the Mortensen Library; this includes Hartt School students. See Thesis Binding for requirements, a checklist, and a bindery submission form that can be printed and submitted to the Libraries.

While the Harrison Libraries accepts theses/dissertations for binding, binding is not done in-house. It can take 4-8 weeks for binding to be completed, so students should keep departmental guidelines in mind and submit items for binding as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary delays.

Do you have information about the University of Hartford and its history?

Reference librarians are available in the libraries to assist you. You can visit or call Reference Services at Mortensen (860.768.4142) or Allen (860.768.4491), chat with an online librarian (use the blue "Ask Us" box in the right column on this page), or email. Depending on how much information you need, the librarian may suggest that you to come in for more in-depth assistance.

How can I request materials that are not available through the Libraries?

University faculty, staff, and students may request books, scores or copies of articles from periodicals we don't own through Interlibrary Loan. This service is only available to University users. Non-University uses should contact their local library for information about interlibrary loan. Call 860.768.4364 for additional information.

My professor put materials on reserve. What does this mean?

Assigned materials for a class are set aside in the Libraries ("reserved") and loaned for brief time periods so that all students have equal access to them. Reserve materials may include books, lecture notes, problem sets, musical scores, CDs, DVDs, or VHS recordings. Most reserves are available for use in the library for two hours but the loan period is set by your professor. Overdue reserves are fined at $1 per hour. See Course Reserves.

Reserve articles are available online. You will need a University email account to login. See Off-Campus Access for more information to set this up. To view electronic reserves, you will access them through Blackboard.

Do you have my textbook?

The Libraries buy materials to supplement your textbooks and assist in your research. We generally do not buy textbooks. Occasionally, a textbook may be given to the libraries. You can search the Libraries Catalog, using the author or title, but be aware that the textbooks in the libraries are usually older editions. If the bookstore does not have your textbook, ask your professor to put a copy on reserve.

How can I learn how to use the Libraries more effectively?

We have an online Research Tutorial that introduces the basics of doing library research. You can do all or part of it, as you need.

How do I access the library resources from off campus?

Many library research tools are available through the web. The Libraries Catalog, the list of eJournals locator, and Harrison Libraries web pages can be used by anyone on or off campus, regardless of University affiliation. Most of the libraries' other research database locator can be used by anyone on campus, but require a student, faculty, or staff University email account to access from off campus. For more information, see Off-Campus Access.

Borrowing from the Libraries

How do I borrow materials from the Libraries?

University of Hartford faculty, staff, and students must present a current University ID to borrow materials from any of the Libraries. Alumni may obtain borrower cards with proof of their status (available during office hours or by mail from Office of Alumni Relations). Members of the community may purchase guest borrower cards for $50 per year. For more information, see our Borrowing Policies for more information.

How can I renew the books I’ve borrowed?

Before the due date, you may be able to renew items online through My Account.

Library materials can also be renewed in person, or by calling the library circulation desk (Mortensen–860.768.4264 or Allen–860.768.4491).

For renewal limits, see the borrowing policies for Mortensen and Allen Libraries.

Some restrictions apply.

Can I borrow a laptop?

There are a limited number of laptop computers for use in the Libraries or for checkout. They can be borrowed from the circulation desks. You will need to present your University ID card. See Computers and Laptops for our laptop usage policies.